The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-12


average OF 400 veterans will need to be accom-
modated. and when they have all passed away
and the building Is no longer required for
sns or State S use tssr
asylum or for other purposes. Other
States have followed the example OF Michigan
in caring for its veterans, and sincerely trust
you will carefully look over the estimates re-
qured To carry IL along, and give IL your liberal
support A full report is submitted. The
amount required is large, but IL Ia a large debt
we owe To these old veterans and in our pros
perity let us neither forsake nor forget them. I
recommend, however, that the sum be reduced
TO two hundred thousand dollars, believing that
the estimates can be cut down by the OF the
labor of the inmates at much less cost, although
they are very feeble, "A rule, and great ma
Jority OF them are unable To perform any man
ual labor.
The General Government has sent to the cap
ital OF the State an experienced member OF the
Weather Signal Corps, and undertakes TO give
10 us the full benefit of that useful service so
far as IL can DO. This system has been of the
greatest value to commerce fer years past, and
since 10 has been extended in its operations
n To reach the agricultural and other inland in
dustr,es of some of the States. its usefulness
has been much more marked. In order TO make
this service OF more practical and widespread
benefit the Legislature will be asked To- render
some very slight but imperatively needed,
sistance, and recommend that this be done as
early as possible in the session.
AS general proposition, should DO averse
to any more patching up of our tax laws that
can be avoided, but the facts are that there is
courts seem To be unable 20 reconcile TO their
own satisfaction TO the satisfaction OF the
taxpayers. This Legislature will be an excep-
tional one IL IL does not have before it flood of
measures designed 10 ara nd and change the
present tax laws But before any such work is
done l suggest that you carefully study the adj
visibility OF substituting therefor what is COM
monty known as the County System" There
are men elected to this Legislature who are
peculiarly Well equipped to grapple this ques-
ton, and l assure you il is one that has to be
met and settled in the near future. IL is at
least worthy careful consideration.
There are frequent calls Oh the State for
representation at great industrial expositions,
where the resources of the State might be dis
played in manner that would be of advantage,
but during my term Of office have not felt that
it was right to send representatives, OF the com
monwealth TO confer with the managers of the
proposed exhibitions unless there was means at
hand to meet the expenses. Other States have
arrangements made by which contingencies can
be met, and l suggest that il NAV be well for
this State TO empower its Chief Executive, or
some other authority, to meet such emergencies,
and provide for the expenses thereof up TO II
reasonable amount
The fisheries of Michigan are worthy OF and
should receive your attention and consideration,
and. with proper legal regulation, may continue
to yield n valuable harvest year by year not
only without diminution but, as the present
aspect Of fish-culture promises with material
increase. With confidence in the intelligent
appreciation of this subject by the State Fish
cry officers, / commend To you the recommend
atoms made by them in their seventh biennial
report, looking TO the better Cove rnment OF the
fisheries of the great lakes and interior waters,
and TO the extension Of the States operations in
artificial propagation of food fishes Any
question bearing on the supply OF food
which is in such n marked degree dependent
upon the States police, and other legal powers,
grows in Importance as the population of the
State increases The remedial exercise of those
powers, to be just ana advantageous, must an
ticipate in timely order the disasters they are
intended to avert. Laws should be enacte to
regulate the methods of fishing so that no pre-
ventable waste be committed, and that tho
natural reproduction be not interfered with.
Artificial supply should be extended, as il gives
proof of practical success Some of the laws
that are already enacted on this subject need
further provisions that will secure their
forcement.
Under the law creating the Office OF Commits
sioner of Mineral Statistics, and defining his
duties, as IL now stands, the ipcumbent is
Obliged to pay all the expenses incurred in the
prosecution of his duties, and also to publish
his report at his own expense, and then supply
the State with n thousand copies. In my opin-
ion. this is a singularly unjust arrangement
and when the nature of the work is considered
IL becomes oppressive. The value of the work
of this officer, when done in the manner that it
was performed by the gentleman who is now
the state Geologist, and by the present Com
missioner, is very great, and this burden should
be taken of him.
Early in 1886 I received from tho General
Government the sum Of S1,6l2 q, the same be-
ing tho allowance passed to the credit OF this
State on the eighth installment Of our war
claim against the Government On the 31st OF
March last appointed Hon. f. w Keightlv of
Constantine the agent Of the State to push these
war claims and make collections thereon and
he is now engaged in the work. His compensa-
ton is 10 be ten per cent. OF all collections
made, and the State is TO be subject 10 no ex-
pense in the matter whatever. have also re-
ceived from the Government t5 81 due to the
State as swamp land indemnity also, S29,Ol4 o.
being money due the State on the five per cent
accruing from the sales of Government lands
within the limits of the State. Total cash re-
ceived from the Government S3G,O596J. This
has been deposited in the State Treasury, and
| the Treasurers receipt therefore filed in the Ex-
| ecutve office.
recommend that an amendment to the Con-
| stitution be submitted TO the people OF the
| State with regard to the prohibition of the sale
! of intoxicating liquors. This question comes
| up at every sitting of the Legislature and so
many people have asked its submission TO a
vote.that recommend the same be done at this
session and thus let the matter be settled. Also
! on any other subject where any considerable
| number Of citizens ask that constitutional
amendment be submitted. it seems TO me but
| just that their recommendation be listened to-
The battle of Gettysburg, one of the greatest
battles of modern warfare, considering the num-
bers engaged, was tho turning point OF the high
est tide in the rebellion. On that snnguinary
| field, covering three days, no troops were more
conspicuous for their gallantry nor sustained
heavier losses than those from Michigan Many
| OF the States have made appropriations marking
the positions occupied by their different reg-
ments on the field which not only monu-
| ments TO the valor OF the regiments, but TO the
| States who furnished them. This great battle
! field being upon Northern soil is much more &C
cessibe than any other, and there are
! many reasons why il has been selected
| for the purposes mentioned. Every State
| in the Union had troops upon that field, and
| most earnestly recommend that appropria-
| tion Of at least five thousand dollars be made
| for the purposes hereinbefore named, and that
a commission of three made up from the in
fantry, cavalry and artillery, be appointed to
| cooperate with other Statos aud carry out the
| design suggested. hope it will not be left for
the soldiers of the State to furnish this money,
rs they did their part upon the field This sub
! ject is brought to your attention mt the request
of the Loyal Legion. made at their last meet
| ing in Grand Rapids, the 30th ult. i sincerely
| trust you will give it your favorable considera-
| ton.
| recommend to you that n law be passed i'm
| creasing the number OF Judges of the Supreme
J Court to five. The absolute necessity OF this is
shown by recent decisions concerning the con-
| stitutionality of the tax law In one court on
| the upper peninsula the law was held to be
| constitutional. An appeal was had TO the SUI
| preme Court, ana the decision was affirmed by
| tie vote. A similar was tried in n court on
| the lower peninsula. The tax law was held To
be unconstitutional, and again affirmed
| by tie vote. Consequently in one
portion of the State the law Is held
TO be constitutional and in another portion to
be UNCONSTITUTIONAL and there should be a fifth
person to break the tie. / also recommend %
| you that the salaries of the Supreme Judges be
them TO live and something for after life
| These offices are the highest and most important
| in the State, and the very best talent of the
State should be induced 10 seek them. The
! high standard of the Supreme Court OF Michi
1 can which is recognized in every State in the